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Saturday, 30 September 2017

Loot Crate have revealed one of the items coming to their forthcoming Star Trek: Mission Crate. The box of assorted Star Trek goodies, due out in November, will include a QMx Mini Masters Locutus of Borg figurine, which is six inches tall. Continue below for more images, details of the Mission Crate, and a look at other recent Star Trek Loot Crate exclusives:

Anovos, makers of high end uniform replicas, have announced a new range of Star Trek Discovery uniforms, which are available to pre-order now, ahead of an expected summer 2018 release. As ever they have paid meticulous attention to detail, using original costumes from the production as reference to o re-create every element, including all the bespoke metallic rubberised details of the side panels and shoulder stripes. The costume will also come supplied with a QMx insignia badge.

The uniforms are currently offered in female and male versions, with options for all three department colours - The extra stripey captain's variant will be offered separately later. As yet there is no news on the medical white version.

Some assorted starship bits and pieces for you today, starting with the latest from Eaglemoss: Ben Robinson has shared the following images on Twitter, of the forthcoming Starships Collection bonus issue concept art Ambassador class. This is based on Andrew Probert's original concept for the Enterprise-C, and that is the name of the ship we will get when this is released, although pictured here is a one-of-a-kind USS Ambassador version (I'd rather prefer the Ambassador myself, so it could sit among the fleet as the actual prototype of the class, oh well):

Friday, 29 September 2017

A whole new crew of cats is getting ready to board the USS Enterprise, and so ahead of the release of Star Trek: The Next Generation Cats, StarTrek.com have released the cover and a preview page from the book. Jenny Parks returns as illustrator, with Chronicle Books due to publish in March.

In celebration of TNG's 30th anniversary, players of Star Trek Onlinecan now claim a free skant uniform; the iconic gender neutral uniform choice seen in the early days of TNG. Better yet, the Federation's root beering of the galaxy has led to the Klingon Empire and Romulan Star Empire also adopting the skant into their uniform options; so players from those factions can also rock the look. Check them all out below:

CBS have released several new stills from Discovery's third episode, Context is for Kings. Continue below to check them out, including the first look at Doctor Hugh Colder, as well as clips from the first two episodes, and hints at season two.

Note the bodies in this first image aren't just, well, bodies, they're severely contorted and look almost as if they've been compacted.

Here's a new trailer for Discovery, which oddly I can't find on any official channels, but it was uploaded by YouTuber Shane Carles as "Season Premiere Ending Trailer", so I assume it aired after the first episode was shown on CBS in the states. For the rest world therefore, this might be new, and gosh it's full of good stuff! - Really setting up some mystery on the Discovery, and giving us a taste of lots to come. Check it out:

UPDATE: CBS have now released an official version (which is also on Netflix's Twitter for those outside the US).

As ever, here's the screencap breakdown. Be aware, there are some potentially very spoilery details when you look closely. So let's start with that rather wonderful shuttlebay on the Discovery:

Tuesday, 26 September 2017

FanSets have announced a new format for their pin collections, Episode Pins, which will be launching with the first season of Discovery. The series will see them release a commemorative pin for every single episode of the series, with each pin "approximately 2 -2 ¼” square in size and feature an important person, ship, alien or item from each episode".

Each pin design will be revealed weekly shortly after each new episode is released. Continue below to check out those so far previewed. The first episode gets a slightly larger three by three inch pin, featuring EV suited Burnham and the Klingon Torchbearer.

Let's start with Discovery news. So far we only knew of the first two issues of the Discovery spin-off series, the USS Shenzhou and the USS Discovery. Now Eaglemoss' Ben Robinson has tweeted detailed of a further four issues:

Europa is on the way but issues 3 and 4 are the Kerala (you didn't see her named) and The Bird-of-Prey - which are the little fighters.

Matt Mira‏, the host of After Trek, also tweeted this photo of the Eaglemoss Discovery model (giving us a look from a new angle), on display on the After Trek set (it's right behind him if you watch the show):

The release of the first Discoverynovel, David Mack's Desperate Hours is imminent, and two interviews have been released to coincide with the publication. Continue below for some of the highlights, plus excerpts from the book:

Speaking to StarTrek.com Mack gave an overview of the book - which is set a year before the TV series starts - and in particular Saru's relationships with Burnham and Captain Georgiou:

It uses personnel from the Shenzhou specifically and it focuses on how Michael Burnham and her peers got to be where we find them at the beginning of Discovery. We see the moment she goes from being the senior tactical officer of the ship to its acting first officer. She's being tried out for the job. At that time, it's between her and Saru. We also get to see some of the rivalry between her and Saru, and we see some of Saru's resentment in that he had seniority over her when she first came aboard. He went to Starfleet Academy, and she didn't. He’s done his time coming up through the ranks more than she has. But she has an exceptional range of abilities. She is simply an exceptional person. She is the protégé of the captain, and because Georgiou has taken Burnham under her wing, Burnham advances more quickly through the ranks than an ordinary officer would, perhaps to her detriment, but we don't necessarily realize that at the time. We get to see Saru's resentment, as he sees someone who he thinks has not paid her dues, first, catch up to him as a peer, and then in the beginning of book one, surpass him and become his superior. We see his rage at being passed over, his heartbreak at being passed over, because what he desperately wants is to have that protégé/mentor relationship with Georgiou. He loves Georgiou. He worships Georgiou, and to see this opportunity go to Burnham, it's humiliating for him because he has seniority over her, he's done more time.

Monday, 25 September 2017

Movie collectables sellers Prop Store have an ongoing stream of bits and pieces of Star Trek stuff from movie and TV productions, including concept art, miniature, props, costumes, scripts, and various other curiosities.

Recent listings include some gorgeous artwork from the TOS movies, featuring Mount Seleya on the planet Vulcan, painted as studies for matte paintings by ILM artist Chris Evans. One listing includes two paintings produced during the production of The Search For Spock:

After waking up promptly at 8am to watch new Star Trek as soon as it arrived here on Netflix in the UK, I feel highly content with my Discovery breakfast.

We knew a lot of setup going into these first two episodes, The Vulcan Hello and Battle at the Binary Stars, but not a lot about the hows and whys of these new characters - And all credit to CBS, you played a blinder with misdirection in your promotional efforts; I anticipated some of what happened, but I certainly didn't a lot more! Continue below for my thoughts on this rebirth of Star Trek. Spoilers follow!

Sunday, 24 September 2017

Ahead of the very near launch of Discovery, CBS have released the opening title sequence, which is gloriously different from all the Trek's before, and packed full of delicious graphical goodness (I like them!). Check them out (unofficially if you're region locked out):

Previews for two forthcoming Star Trek non-fiction books have been released, continue below to check out the new science book. But first...

Star Trek: The Book of Lists is due out from Harper Design in November. The book is written by Chip Carter (who previously brought us Obsessed with Star Trek and the Miniature Editions series), and as you can see below takes a decided light-hearted approach to listing, from a largely real-world point of view, with lists including times when Kirk's shirt was ripped, reuses of costumes and starship miniatures, and examples of difficult technobabble.

I love that the preview pages released are photos of the actual book rather than just digital pages:

If you're not familiar, the Titan was of course named in Nemesis, as the new command of Captain Riker. But we never saw it until Sean Tourangeau won a competition to design the ship at the heart of the then (a decade ago) new Titan book series. The Luna class has since gone on to appear in Star Trek exhibitions, comics, and video games - It is surely the most prominent of non-canon ships, and indeed is at least technically canon!

I've been clamouring for this since the collection began; so it's safe to say my views may be a little biased - But none the less, continue below for a closer look at this much anticipated model, and the accompanying magazine.

Last year I decided to have a few days break from the Trek-sphere, and with the busy busy life I've been living lately, that accidentally became a whole year!

I've been clamouring to get back in the game ever since, but struggled to get back up to date with all the Trek goings on - Star Trek has also had a rather busy year!

But, now I have, and here I am. Normal service from 8of5 of The Trek Collective resumes today. As ever you did before you'll find here all the latest news on every aspect of Trek, with particular love for all the tie-in fiction, model ships, and other Star Trek things!

It's going to take me a little while to get all my schedule and resource pages back up to date, so please bare with me on those. But regular news posting starts now. I also intend to back fill all the news I miss, as much so I'm back in touch with it all as anything; so look out for all those back-dated posts too!

I switched off all my 8of5 communications channels when I took my break, but I see I've had a LOT of messages of concern and requests for updates. Sorry for leaving you all in limbo, and thank you for caring! I'll try and send replies to all those who contacted me individually in due course, but I am really grateful and moved that so many people cared!

Hallmark's latest PopMinded video has revealed their 2018 Star Trek starship Keepsake ornament, the USS Discovery. The video includes several views of a rendering of the ship; which you can see below, along with other Hallmark Star Trek updates.

Friday, 22 September 2017

Lots of Discoverybits and pieces today, as the series grows ever nearer. Continue below for a new poster, a clip, and a lapel pin. First up though, CBS have released a bunch of new photos, via StarTrek.com, giving us new views of now fairly familiar settings:

CBS have released a gaggle of new videos looking behind the scenes of Discovery, including a focus on the costume design, and the characters of Sarek and Captain Georgiou. Continue below to check them out, and other updates from the series.

First however, here's a very short video confirming the after show show will be airing after the first episodes, and has now being renamed After Trek (rather than the previously announced Talking Trek).

Thursday, 21 September 2017

io9 have posted an interview with Star Trek comics writer Mike Johnson, discussing the forthcoming Discovery comic series, co-written with Kirsten Beyer. They also revealed a sumptuous new cover for an issue in the series, from artist J.K. Woodward:

Wednesday, 20 September 2017

Loads of Eaglemoss Starships Collection news landed today, including previews of several forthcoming issues. However top billing goes to the launch of the new Discovery series, which will featuring monthly releases of special-sized issues featuring ships from that series only. Starship designed John Eaves posted the first look at the USS Discovery model (UPDATE: And Eaglemoss' Ben Robinson has now released a much higher res version):

Last night the first two Discovery episodes had their premiere at the Arclight Cinerama Dome in Hollywood, and many of the Discovery cast and Star Trek alumni were there to watch and celebrate. Two moments really caught my eye though, so I'm going to look just at those.

First up, the great Nichelle Nichols (the original Uhura of course) tweeted a photo of herself with Sonequa Martin-Green (the star of Discovery, Michael Burnham).

I'm in two minds about what this meeting symbolises. Part of me is simply delighted to have these two black women at the heart of Star Trek. But part of me is also saddened that fifty years after Uhura sat on the bridge of the Enterprise it remains remarkable to have a woman of colour be a lead in a major TV series. I'm proud Star Trek is continuing to push for better representation, and can only hope this continues to be normal in future, not the exception.

Tuesday, 19 September 2017

CBS have released two new behind the scenes videos today, revealing all sorts of new details about Discovery. Continue below to check them out, and all the other latest Discoverynews.

First up, we have a general look at the series' production values, highlighting the sets and location work, as well as showing a few new shots from the show, and, a tribble! (See alternate Youtube if you can't see the region locked offical one below)

The Star Trek Cats book must have gone down well, as ThinkGeek and Chronicle Books have just revealed they have used the artwork from it to create a surprise addition to the 2018 Star Trek calendar line-up. Available now, and exclusive to ThinkGeek is the Star Trek Cats calendar; a sixteen month calendar, including a compressed four month final third of this year on a single page, so you can put your new calendar into action straight away. Check it out:

Running Press have revealed the latest two releases in their series of Star Trek "Miniature Editions", a novelty gift collection which typically includes a small model and a little booklet. Like their previous Star Trek releases, they are releasing two sets around the same time, a ship, and a prop, this time however they have moved on from TOS, with two TNG themed releases: Due out next April will be a Borg Cube, and a Tricorder, both featuring light and sound effects. Chip Carter returns to author the included booklets. Check them out below:

Sunday, 17 September 2017

Lots of little Discoveryupdates today! First up, via TV Guide, we have the title for the first episode: The Vulcan Hello - Make of that what you will! While you're pondering, here's another new mini-trailer (hosted also on YouTube if you need to get round the region lock):

Saturday, 16 September 2017

Loot Crate have revealed an exciting Star Trek exclusive coming in September's Loot Crate. For the first time, there will be entire Star Trek comic available only via Loot Crate (as opposed to the several previous variant covers distributed through the company). This will be Origin of Data, a prequel to the current TNG Mirror Broken series. Check out this amazing cover from J.K. Woodward:

Friday, 15 September 2017

CBS have released a video tour of the USS Discovery bridge set, full of beauty shots of the dark and alluring new bridge. Check it out below, along with other Discoveryupdates (PS, you guessed it, region locked. So check out a backup if you're outside the US)

Thursday, 14 September 2017

CBS have released another behind the scenes Discoveryvideo, this time giving us a look at the design of the props in the show (region locked of course...). Check that out below, plus lots of interesting new details about the Klingons in the show, and more:

Tuesday, 12 September 2017

CBS have released a new Discoveryvideo, this time looking at the music, composed by Jeff Russo, and in the process revealing the main theme for Discovery, which leans heavily on the TOS theme (alas, once more region locked video, so only for US viewers. UPDATE: But here it is on the Netflix Twitter):

Monday, 11 September 2017

CBS let a gaggle of journalists tour the Discovery sets and offices recently, and now they've all started publishing their stories, revealing a myriad new details about the show. There's lot to cover, so continue below for all the latest:

First up, we have our first look at the Discovery's engineering room, complete with Wrath of Khan style isolation chamber. CBS released two images of the room full of the aforementioned visitors:

Sunday, 10 September 2017

CBS have released another Discovery promo (but this time around they've not bothered to post it on Instagram as well as Twitter, so youtube uploaded version to the rescue below for those of us outside the US):

The first clip from Discovery has been released, via Late Night With Stephen Colbert, which also had Sonequa Martin-Green (aka Michael Burnham) on as a guest. You can see the clip and interview in the following video:

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